Best Casino Games in New Zealand (2026)
Casino games come in all shapes and sizes – it’s not just pokies, mate. On this page I’ll introduce you to the fabulous world of online gambling by telling you which game types exist, what are the best casino games in New Zealand, and where you can play them. Without a doubt, you’ll find a game you weren’t aware of! Pokies are cool but it’s not the only game out there, not by a long shot.
I will talk about the gambling games that you can play at top online casino sites, and won’t mention them in their land-based versions specifically, though you will find some of these games such as roulette or craps at your local brick-and-mortar casino.
Gambling has largely moved to online devices, and you’re online right now, so we’ll be focusing on that part. The two major groups of games here are the online pokies, with progressive jackpot pokies as its subdivision, and the live dealer games, which are the most vibrant part of online gaming right now.
How we rate online casino games
This is how our reviewers rate the online casino games, or casino games in general if you will. You can use these tips to judge casino games for yourself.
Mathematics and RTP
You usually won’t know the math behind the game when you’re at a brick-and-mortar casino, but in the case of online poker and live dealer games, you will. You’ll know the exact return to player (RTP) of the game, and you’ll be able to see the different payouts and come up with a house edge for each bet type. Different online casinos may set the game to different RTP values, so pay attention – or simply trust our reviewers because they check.
The potential of a big win
Any game is only as good as its potential to win real money. Our reviewers, and Kiwi players in general, prefer games that offer the potential of paying big, as opposed to games that are slower and you can never win a massive prize, as is the case with blackjack. This is probably why multiplier blackjack got so popular!
Provably fair
All the casino games listed here, and all the other casino games you’ll play online when you visit the casinos we list on DashTickets, are provably fair and independently audited. There is zero chance that you’ll be playing a bad game when you follow links from this site. However, it’s important to pay attention and never plays at casinos that we didn’t review and recommend.
Editor’s Choice Top 3 Gambling Games
Before I proceed with individual game groups, I will give you my top three casino games of all time. Not just the type, but the actual game. Ready, mate?
Mega Moolah
Okay so this was predictable, wasn’t it? Mega Moolah, the pokie that makes millionaires is still my favourite game. Although I haven’t won it obviously, several Kiwis did, and that’s enough for me to call it a fantastic game. More power to us. Keep spinning the reels at the best online casinos and have another Kiwi win the prog jackpot!
Crazy Time
This live dealer money wheel game show exists in several versions, spin-offs, and copycat attempts, but I still play the original more than anything else. I keep getting ideas for new strategies, I monitor the stats, I follow other players’ bets. This game is just fun every single time and I can’t get enough of it. If you hit the bonus round at the right time, you win big!
Quantum Blackjack
Blackjack is the only known exploitable casino game, and I like the multiplier versions more than anything. Quantum Blackjack is my favourite one, it has a visually stunning studio, and the game is set up in a way that makes every hand exciting. This Playtech live dealer game can be enjoyed on a desktop or on the go, on your mobile phone.
Pokies
Pokies are the largest and most popular group of casino games. Online pokies number in thousands, with over a hundred providers that release new pokies on a weekly basis. A top casino will have around 70-80 providers, though I’ve seen online casinos with 140, and at least 2,000 individual games though it goes up to 11,000. Some of the most popular software providers in New Zealand are:
Online pokies have come a long way since emerging as the online versions of land-based slot machines. These days you got access to lots of innovative slot features and game mechanics, such as Megaways, Hold and Win, Buy Feature, Expanding Reels, Mega Symbols, and what not. You’ll often find pokies grouped in the casino lobby by these popular features.
The most popular pokies in New Zealand
Here is a rundown of the 15 most popular pokies among Kiwis. In case you need a reminder or if you weren’t aware of the existence of some of these games. If you’re interested there’s a dedicated page to the best real money online pokies.
1. Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead (Play’n GO)
Kiwis like classic slots and archeological themes with ancient books. No pokie is better than Book of Dead, the legend, the game everyone knows and loves – even if it’s a ripoff of Novomatic’s Book of Ra is a rare sight in online casinos. Make sure you’re playing the game at its high RTP setting, 96.21%.
2. Big Bass Splash (Reel Kingdom)
And now we learn Kiwis – and just about everyone else – love fishing pokies a lot. Big Bass Splash is the best there is, despite coming from a lesser known developer, as this game feels as if you’ll win big through one of its impressive bonus features. And often, you do. Mind you, there are at least 15 spinoff games by the same developer. The Splash game is just the most popular in the Big Bass series.
3. Gold Blitz (Fortune Factory)
We continue with high-variance classic pokies that have rewarding bonus features. That’s just the way to go, isn’t it? Gold Blitz has 4096 ways to win on a large 5×4 board, you can win up to 2,500x in the base game, the bonus round has Multiplier Wilds that go up to x5, and the trademarked Gold Blitz feature comes with guaranteed cash prizes on each spin. Despite the lack of a recognizable theme, this game is a hit among Kiwis.
4. 9 Pots of Gold (Gameburger Studios)
Surprise surprise, we have a medium volatility pokie right here, perhaps even a low to medium one. It’s by a USA provider Gameburger Studios that came to prominence with this absolute hit in 2020. The main appeal of the game is the scatter-based jackpot system that pays a fixed cash prize when you get from 3 to 9 pots of gold on your reels. So simple yet so much fun! There’s also a 9 Masks of Fire game that’s just a different skin.
5. Amazing Link Zeus (SpinPlay Games)
This is yet another case of Kiwis recognizing a fantastic pokie despite it being by a small provider that is no more than a partner to Games Global (ex Microgaming). The Amazing Link Hold & Win game mechanics are nothing new, yet this is probably the best case of them being used in a pokie. As Hold & Win is all the rage these days, it makes sense that the best game that has the feature is among the most popular ones.
6. Starlight Princess (Pragmatic Play)
The pokie provides magical ambiance and flying fairies that have got lots of cash prizes for Kiwis. The soundtrack is great, and players get to play with an RTP rate of 96.50% which is as good as gold no matter what you wager. The release is considered a high-volatility game that will make blood rush in your veins. That’s what we all want from pokies, eh? There are 6 reels and 5 rows and the paylines are scatter pays. The features are a tumble feature, multiplier symbols, and free spins. The biggest win possible in Starlight Princess is 5000 times the wager.
7. Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play)
If you are a player who enjoys Greek mythology, this slot is right up your street. Gates of Olympus brings Kiwis a return of 96.50% There is a grid of 6×5 with 20 paylines for players to use. The features are scatters, multiplier symbols, and free spins. Players who want to gain access to the bonus round may use the bonus buy feature. The largest win for players is 5,000 times the initial bet allowing you to splurge on a beach bach getaway.
8. Wild Cash (BGaming)
Wild Cash slot is a classic nostalgic game with fruit symbols and vibrant colors. There are only five paylines, so the pokie suits beginners. Players can enjoy an RTP rate of 96%. The minimum bet is 0.01 NZD, and the maximum bet is 50 NZD. This is a high-volatility release so, there is no time to get knackered as the grand prize of 1,039 x the wager can be triggered any second. Your experience will be taken to another level once the 3 bonus symbols are dropped on the reels.
9. It’s a Joker (Felix Gaming)
This slot game offers players a dark theme that seems a bit creepy, with a clown as the main feature. There are colourful fruits, each paying differently when landed on reels and there is a 96% return to player. You will have small wins but frequently as the slot is a low-volatility game, which is a safe bet for inexperienced players or those individuals who can’t risk big cash sums. Playing this pokie is not a mare of a job since it features a standard 5×3 grid. There is a joker wild bonus, free spins, and multipliers as features in the game. The big win is 400x the wager which is still hokey pokey high.
10. Elvis Frog Trueways (BGaming)
This is one of my favourite music-themed releases, which boasts a fun frog as the main character. The game is played over 6 reels and a staggering 262,144 paylines. The return to player percentage is 96.79%. Players can enjoy the bonus symbols, wilds, and wild with multipliers. Players have the chance to win 3 types of jackpots with the lightning symbol. I really love this very release since it is super easy to play if you want to avoid megaways titles plus the theme is incredibly cute especially the Elvis Frog the main character.
11. Starburst (NetEnt)
Starburst is an awesome classic pokie that has taken the breath of many players away since the year 2013. Having 5 reels, 10 paylines that pay both ways, simplicity, and frequency of payout, this game is ideal to be played by players. Expanding Starburst Wilds gives re-spins and a high potential for increased wins. Low to medium volatility, with 96.09% RTP, makes it perfect for both beginners and pros. This remains quite a sweet deal, though, as the maximum win is capped at 600x of your stake. With smooth gameplay and dazzling graphics, this title quickly became a favorite among Kiwi players.
12. Gonzo’s Quest (NetEnt)
The iconic slot from NetEnt, Gonzo’s Quest, was the first to introduce cascading reels in the form of its Avalanche feature, whereby winning symbols disappear to make way for new ones. Themed around the search for a Spanish conquistador for El Dorado, this 5-reel, 20-payline slot is quite exciting and rewarding with Free Fall, awarding 10 free spins with increasing multipliers up to 15x. This is yet another well-loved game by New Zealand players, having medium volatility and 95.97% RTP.
13. Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)
Sweet Bonanza is a candy-filled pokie filled with high sugar content and the possibility for Big Wins. Get ready for the most thrilling ride on this 6×5 grid format game, coupled with a cluster pays mechanism, tumbling reels-meaning, winning symbols refresh for continuous wins courtesy of winning combos-a bonus round that gives free spins and multipliers to really rocket your wins. With an RTP of 96.51%, it boasts an enormous winning potential of 21,175x your stake and thus is a real hit among Kiwi gamblers seeking some action and rewards.
14. Book of Ra Deluxe (Novomatic)
Book of Ra Deluxe ranks high among those Egyptian-themed pokies that have been keeping thousands entertained due to the adventurous plot intermingled with somewhat captivating gameplay. This extremely volatile game promises about 95.1% RTP, provided with 5 reels and 10 adjustable paylines. It boasts typical Free Spins with the participation of a special expanding symbol creating bigger winning opportunities. To this very day, Book of Ra Deluxe keeps amazing Kiwi players with a fun and rewarding game for its max win of as much as 5,000 times your stake.
15. Thunderstruck II (Microgaming)
According to the legend of Norse mythology, Thunderstruck II is an epic promise: this 5-reel casino slot offers 243 ways to win, boasts a 96.65% RTP, and high volatility. The game’s main highlight is the Great Hall of Spins, which lets punters get free spin modes inspired by gods like Thor and Odin; on top of it all, there is Wildstorm, able to make every reel wild for massive punt pays. It is still a legendary hit among New Zealand players, with a maximum win of up to 8,000x of your stake.
Progressive Jackpot Pokies
This is a special group of pokies, as you don’t play these to win a small prize since the theoretical payout makes it impossible to play this continuously and win. You deplete your bankroll by playing these, hoping to win the progressive jackpot. It’s a losing proposition until you win a million.
Most Kiwi players use the same strategy – dedicate a certain part of their disposable income every month to playing the chosen jackpot pokie. Play religiously and don’t stop. That’s about it, and that’s how New Zealand got that many Mega Moolah winners.
You’ll find these pokies in the Progressive Jackpot section of almost every online casino, though some decide to not include them in the pokie lineup. When you win the jackpot, you’re usually paid by the pokie provider directly, not by the casino.
Casino table games
I will keep this short as this type of game has evolved into live dealer games, and people don’t play the automated RNG versions of casino games anymore. So I will use this opportunity to simply give an overview of the games that I will later elaborate on in the Live Dealer Games section.
Roulette
The best-known casino game of all, roulette has a wheel with 37 numbers, and the Zero provides the house with the 2.70% edge. Many strategies have been invented and none have been found to work, yet people still play.
Blackjack
The lowest house edge casino game of all, blackjack is all about getting as close to 21 as you can. The correct strategy can get you far, but every single gambler who has won big on blackjack has downright cheated or has at least used card counting. This can’t be done anymore as casinos have learned to protect themselves.
Baccarat
Essentially an elaborate coin flip game, baccarat is similar to blackjack as you usually win 1 unit or lose 1 unit. You have no control over the outcome, you simply place a bet on the Banker or the Player to win the hand. One of the most popular casino games of all.
Craps
You know that scene where lots of people cheer at a table where dice are thrown? That’s craps. The game is a lot of fun, though not as much when you play the RNG version as there are no people and no actual physical dice. It’s better in its live dealer form, and perfect at a land-based casino.
Sic Bo
Similar to craps yet totally different, Sic Bo is a Chinese dice game where you’re betting on the outcome of the roll of three dice. You’re betting on the totals most of the time, and the sheer number of available bets makes Sic Bo a fun game. Careful – all the bets have different RTPs.
Poker
There are two types of poker, really. One is casino poker, where you play against the casino as if you’re playing blackjack or baccarat, and the other is a community game whose most popular version is Texas Hold’em. I won’t elaborate too much on the latter. Three Card Poker is the most popular casino poker game, and you can play it as an RNG game or a live dealer game.
Video Poker
It has little to do with the two poker versions described above, except for the fact that it uses the same rules for making hands. Video poker is known to be the highest-RTP game after blackjack, and you’ll find the machines at any land-based casino. Around two dozen games with different rules and payouts exist online.
Bingo
Bingo, a game similar to lottery, where balls are drawn and the first player to complete a ticket wins the prize, is largely about the community so it’s better played in local bingo establishments than online, though you’ll find some friends online for sure. It’s known to be a female gambling game, you’ll find lots of online bingo places with themes designed to appeal to female players.
Keno
Keno is very similar to bingo, but perhaps more similar to a lottery. It’s best to think of it as a fast-win lottery. All the online casinos have it and it’s always RNG.
Scratch cards
Scratchies, okay? These instant win games are so much fun and almost all online casinos have them in some shape or form. You buy a ticket and then reveal if it has a prize by scratching and thereby revealing the hidden symbols. It’s common for pokie providers to create a scratchie with the same theme as the pokie. One example is Age of the Gods Scratch by Playtech.
Other games
If you see a game not listed above, most likely it’s just a game designed to take your money, such as High/Low, but hasn’t really came to prominence because it’s not a good game. Stick to the popular ones – the obscure ones are ignored for a reason.
Live Dealer Games
As I said, live casino games are the most vibrant and innovative part of gaming right now. Providers such as Evolution are innovating and creating new versions of traditional casino games, creating new values and new games to play. Real money play is the only option for live games, there’s no demo mode.
Game Shows
I’ll start with the game shows as that’s the most exciting part and it includes numerous games that you absolutely must try out if you’re gambling online. Just head over to the Live Casino section of any online casino and marvel. Here are some of the best live game shows:
Crazy Time and other Money Wheel Games
These usually have 54 segments on the wheel, with three or four bonus rounds that you must have an active bet on when the wheel stops on them. If you do, you’re involved with the bonus round and will usually win big, it goes up to 5,000x your original bet, sometimes more. Some titles I must mention are Sweet Bonanza Candyland, Adventures Beyond Wonderland, and Crazy Coin Flip.
Monopoly Big Baller
One of my favourite games. It starts with bingo balls and tickets, and if you win, you’ll get to play an actual 3D game of Monopoly, with prizes! I absolutely love this game and it would be the first game I’d show to a Kiwi that hasn’t played live dealer games yet. This is the one I’d use to represent what can be done.
Deal or No Deal
Several developers have covered this well-known concept of receiving offers for your mystery box, and I like the Playtech game the most. You’ll love this if you were a fan of the TV show.
Gonzo’s Treasure Map
This is a game played on a 70-symbol grid that is a hybrid between slots and live games as it takes the character from the Gonzo’s Quest pokie. You’re essentially getting a live human presenter talking you through the slot bonus round action. Play this just to see how far has online gaming come.
Jumanji The Bonus Level
The aforementioned Gonzo’s game isn’t a particularly good one, but Jumanji certainly is. This is an incredibly exciting slot game with lots of bonus rounds, and a live human presenter. If you’re into hybrid games, this is the one to try out.
Live Roulette
Interest in roulette has really exploded recently, and multiplier roulette games are responsible. Players can’t get enough of roulette that has win multipliers on straight-up number bets as it made the traditional game much more volatile and rewarding, so practically every single provider has created its own version. Red Door Roulette, Lightning Roulette and Power Up Roulette are the most popular ones.
A special mention must go to roulette tables that stream action from real physical casinos, such as The Hippodrome in London. You get to play at an actual table that’s right there in London, together with the people who are seated at the table!
Live Blackjack
Blackjack also got the multiplier treatment. But let’s first mention that live blackjack, without multipliers, is probably the best version of this game you can play because it uses real cards and has favourable table rules with a house edge as low as 0.50%.
The multiplier game is a different thing that requires a different strategy, and players are usually playing one of these games Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, and more. There’s no need to play anywhere else or in any other format – the best place is the Live Casino section of a good online casino. Trust me. Lightning Blackjack and Quantum Blackjack are the two main representatives of the genre.
Live Baccarat
Just like roulette and blackjack, baccarat also exists as a multiplier game. This makes this old and boring 1:1 payout game infinitely more exciting and lets you create strategies. You can also choose between higher- and lower-variance games.
Live Craps
I must mention craps specifically, because this is one fun casino game, and you can enjoy it with actual dice and a human presenter while you’re placing your bets online! Evolution Live Craps is the only available live craps game right now – give it a try.
Other live games
The games listed above are getting the lion’s share of players and their bets. The live providers are also much more likely to create a new game that joins these groups of games than some obscure game. Evolution is the only provider that’s known to release small games such as Bac Bo, Andar Bahar and the like. For other providers, it just does not pay off.
Your Next Favourite Game Awaits
As you can see, the online casino world has moved far beyond traditional pokies, and game shows and multiplier games offer Kiwis the best action currently available. Choose your game, stick to our recommended fair and honest casino sites, and bet smart!
Update log
3 April 2026: Added outro.
Gambling should only ever be viewed as a form of fun; entertainment, and never a way to make money, or for financial gain. If you find yourself chasing losses, unable to stop, or expecting to win, you may be exhibiting signs of problem gambling. If, at any point, you feel that you have a gambling problem, stop immediately, check out our Responsible Gambling page, and reach out to organisations and charities like New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation. Help and support is available.
Our New Zealand-based reviewers and editorial team, trusted by 12,000 visitors, test 4 online casinos per week. The reviewers, including Edward Howarth, Mark Dash, Sophia Novakivska, thoroughly test each casino as mystery shoppers who actually deposit money into the casino and then report back on what their experience was like from the player's perspective. Our ratings are based on the testers' experiences as well as diligent research of the casino background, the legal terms and conditions, and the reputation among New Zealand players, in compliance with Gambling Act of 2003. Our DashScore provides a comprehensive evaluation of each casino we tested. Our reviews comply with the Gambling Act of 2003 ensuring legal reliability.
This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission for registrations and/or player activity at no additional cost to the player. We ensure affiliate links do not influence our rankings or reviews, maintaining our commitment to providing truthful content to our readers. Our affiliate links support our unbiased reviews, ensuring we provide genuine insights to our readers.
While we may earn commissions from brands listed on this website, our reviewers' unedited opinions, based on first-hand experiences, are always their own and are not influenced by the financial aspect in any way. Our Kiwi Experts review the brands from the player's perspective and present their own opinions. This allows us to publish objective, unbiased and true reviews.
Online casinos mentioned on this website allow players aged 20 and over to gamble. For New Zealand players, legal gambling age is 20, as enforced by the Gambling Act of 2003 and its amendments. Fine can be up to NZ$500 for persons caught underage gambling. If you are visiting us from another country, you are expected to obey the local laws regarding legal gambling age.
All our content is reviewed by a certified expert at least quarterly. We update data on terms and conditions, regulation, bonuses, payment systems, reread our content, make corrections and update pages. So you can be sure you are receiving up-to-date data on our website.